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When a country is hit by a disaster which overwhelms its response capacity, it may request assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). A UCPM activation triggers the ERCC to mobilise assistance or expertise from UCPM meber and participating states. The response can make use of the European Civil Protection Pool (ECPP) and/or rescEU capacities.

Emergency Response Coordination Centre in action
Emergency Response Coordination Centre in action.
  • The European Civil Protection Pool

    CP Pool 

    The European Civil Protection Pool is a collection of emergency response teams and assets. Countries that participate in the Union Civil Protection Mechanism make these resources available for collective European emergency response operations. In return, they can benefit from EU financial support. The Pool includes resources such as urban search and rescue teams, forest fire fighting capacities, emergency medical teams, water purification equipment, high-capacity pumping units, etc. Resources in the Pool are available for immediate deployment worldwide, following a request for assistance through the European Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Centre. The resources are of a certified quality, which is tested in EU-funded exercises. They are generally self-sufficient for several days and interoperable in terms of procedures and technical infrastructure. In addition, key staff is trained through the training program of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. The medical teams and equipment within the Pool make up the European Medical Corps. The European Medical Corps includes experts, mobile biosafety laboratories, medical evacuation capacities, etc. Overall, Member States and Participating States in the Union Civil Protection Mechanism have currently offered 108 capacities in the Pool (September 2020).
  • rescEU

    rescEU 

    In 2019 the EU strengthened the collective European response to disasters via the development of a reserve capacity, known as rescEU reserve, to be used as a last resort when Member States' capacities are already fully used.